PTFE Teflon: Ultimate Chemical Resistance & Low-Friction Polymer Data
Published: 2026-05-25
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), widely known by the trade name Teflon, is a fluoropolymer with the lowest coefficient of friction (0.04) of any known solid material and near-universal chemical resistance—it is attacked only by molten alkali...
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), widely known by the trade name Teflon, is a fluoropolymer with the lowest coefficient of friction (0.04) of any known solid material and near-universal chemical resistance—it is attacked only by molten alkali metals, elemental fluorine at elevated temperature, and chlorine trifluoride. Its unique properties derive from the strong carbon-fluorine bond (485 kJ/mol, one of the strongest single bonds in organic chemistry) and the dense fluorine atom sheath that shields the carbon backbone from chemical attack.
PTFE cannot be processed by conventional injection molding due to its extremely high melt viscosity (10¹¹-10¹² Pa·s at 380°C—approximately 1 million times more viscous than PEEK at processing temperature). Instead, it is processed by cold compression molding of PTFE powder followed by sintering at 370-380°C, similar to powder metallurgy. Machining of sintered PTFE billets is the most common method for producing finished parts (seals, gaskets, bushings).
Technical Properties
| Density | 2.20 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 25 MPa |
| Melting Point | 327 °C |
| Shrinkage Rate | 2.0-5.0% |
| Flexural Modulus | 0.6 GPa |
| Hdt | 55 °C at 1.82 MPa |
| Coefficient Of Friction | 0.04 (lowest of any solid) |
Engineering Tool: Shrinkage & Cost Estimator
Calculate part weight, mold cavity dimensions accounting for shrinkage, and material cost — all locally in your browser.
Equivalents & Cross-References
| Equivalent / Alternate | Action |
|---|---|
| Chemours Teflon | |
| Dyneon PTFE | |
| Daikin Polyflon |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't PTFE be injection molded?
PTFE's melt viscosity at 380°C exceeds 10¹¹ Pa·s—for comparison, PEEK at 380°C has a viscosity of approximately 10³ Pa·s, which is 100 million times lower. This ultra-high viscosity means PTFE never truly 'flows' like a conventional thermoplastic melt. Even at temperatures above its crystalline melting point (327°C), PTFE remains a gel-like solid rather than a fluid. It must be processed by compression molding and sintering (powder metallurgy approach) or by paste extrusion for thin-wall tubing and wire insulation.
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References & Industry Standards
- ASTM International. Standard Specifications for Engineering Plastics & Thermoplastics. astm.org
- UL Prospector. Plastics & Elastomers Material Database. ulprospector.com
- MatWeb. Material Property Data for Engineering Thermoplastics. matweb.com
- ISO 1043. Plastics — Symbols and Abbreviated Terms. iso.org